Our Doctors

The doctors of Brookswood Animal Clinic love caring for animals of all shapes and sizes. As part of their commitment to animal wellness and their local community, the doctors will be donating their time and facility for a patient in need from a shelter. One case per month will recieve the benefits of their expertise and gentle touch.

Ruth Loomis, DVM

Dr. Ruth Loomis got her BA in English Literature from Washington State University and was considering pursuing a masters in English literature when she had an epiphany and decided veterinary medicine was her calling. After 2 years of additional schooling to complete all the prerequisites for the veterinary program she was accepted into the School of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University and graduated in 2006.

Dr. Loomis got married 2 days after graduation and moved to Bend a week later. She and her family, which includes her husband Wayne, daughters Olivia and Kylie, dogs Joe and Dulcie, cats Monster and Tommy and fish Fish have enjoyed the natural beauty and sense of community that defines Central Oregon ever since. She has practiced as a veterinarian in the Bend area for over 8 years, first at Central Oregon Animal Hospital and for the last 4 years at Blue Sky Veterinary Clinic.

She is excited to take this next step in her career as a practice owner. Dr. Loomis is a member of the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), OVMA (Oregon Veterinary Medical Association), and COVMA (Central Oregon Veterinary Medical Association).

Liz Gray, DVM

Dr. Liz Gray has been working as an animal behaviorist since 2001 and has been practicing veterinary medicine since 2006. She got her BA in Biology from Middlebury College in 1998, and went on to obtain a Masters degree in Zoology (specializing in applied animal behavior) at Colorado State in 2002. She then decided to pursue veterinary medicine and graduated in 2006 from Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Just recently, she also obtained her CPDT-KA (certified professional dog trainer - knowledge assessed).

Dr. Gray has enjoyed a varied career in the veterinary field including work in general practice, mobile diagnostic ultrasound, emergency medicine, and shelter medicine. Dr. Gray also enjoys volunteering with VIDAS (www.vidas.org) to spay and neuter dogs and cats in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Liz shares her home with a wonderful loyal Mexican malix (Mayan for street dog or mutt) named Kali, a foster chihuahua named Pedro (being treated for Cushings disease), and a rescued cat named Oscar.

Since moving to Bend, Dr. Gray has kept busy providing the Bend area with her mobile ultrasound services, providing behavior consultations, working at the Humane Society of Central Oregon as a behaviorist and surgeon, and of course enjoying the great outdoors with her husband and two young daughters. With her expertise in animal behavior and ultrasound, Dr. Gray is a wonderful addition to the Brookswood Animal Clinic team. She is a member of AVSAB (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior), ABS (Animal Behavior Society), ASV (Association of Shelter Veterinarians), APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers), and the COVMA (Central Oregon Veterinary Medical Association).

Ashley Portmann, DVM

Dr. Ashley Portmann grew up in Texas with many family cats and dogs, and from an early age she knew she wanted to take care of animals. She left the heat and humidity to attend The Colorado College for her undergraduate studies. After college, she spent a year working in an immunology lab at the UC Davis vet school, reinforcing her desire to become a veterinarian. She completed her DVM at The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 2010.

For the last 4 years, Dr. Ashley has practiced small animal veterinary medicine in and around Denver, Colorado. She worked in emergency medicine early in her career, then made the switch to general practice and couldn't be happier! Ashley's main veterinary interests include preventative care, management of chronic disease, and dentistry.

Dr. Ashley moved to Bend in the fall of 2014, with her husband, Marc, and 4 furry critters: dogs Sassy and Gretchen, and cats Sebastian and Walter. In her spare time, you will find Ashley doing yoga, biking, hiking, skiing, running, walking her dogs, cooking, and trying pretty much any outdoor activity. She and her family are loving all that Central Oregon has to offer, and she cannot wait to discover more of its natural beauty, people, and pets! She is a member of the AVMA, OVMA, and COVMA. Her gentle and caring approach to veterinary medicine as well as her excellent clinical skills have already shown to be an invaluable asset to our growing practice.

Kara Erickson, DVM

Dr. Kara Erickson has lived in the Pacific Northwest for the last 14 years, after growing up outside of Chicago. She received a BS in Biology from the University of Washington. After two years working in the veterinary field, she decided to pursue a degree in Veterinary medicine. In 2011, Dr. Erickson graduated with a DVM from Washington State University College of Veterinary medicine.

She and her husband, Jon, moved to Bend soon after graduation. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, yoga, skiing, triathlons and entertaining her two dogs, Porter and Gobie.

Dr. Erickson has practiced at Banfield in Bend for the last 5 years. She is now excited to be a part of the Brookswood team. She is a member of the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) and COVMA (Central Oregon Veterinary Medical Association).